DHS Wants MANDATORY Photographs of American Citizens

[Sentry18]

https://www.theorganicprepper.com/dhs-photographs/

DHS Wants MANDATORY Photographs of American Citizens

December 4, 2019

by Daisy Luther
The Department of Homeland Security is hard at work thinking of ways to make traveling miserable and invasive for the rest of us. And chances are good they aren’t planning to stop with travelers.

The latest?

They want to take the photographs of every person leaving and entering the US and store this biometric information in their databases. So whether you’re an American citizen or not, they’d like to invade your privacy for no reason other than you’re traveling outside the country.

This law, if passed, is purported to aid in enforcing visa deadlines for foreign travelers who overstay.

Don’t worry. The TSA just wants to enhance “aviation security and the passenger experience.”

But biometric scanning is already used for foreign travelers.
The thing is, foreign travelers entering the United States must already submit to being photographed, fingerprinted, and scanned.

Federal law requires Homeland Security to put into place a system to use biometrics to confirm the identity of international travelers. Government officials have made no secret of their desire to expand the use of biometrics, which they say could identify potential terrorists and prevent fraudulent use of travel documents. (source)

This leads to the question of why on earth Americans “need” to also be scanned.

What reasons are they giving for photographing Americans, too?
The DHS says that the new plan “would be part of a broader system to track travelers as they enter and exit the United States.”

The Trump administration contends in its regulatory agenda that the face scan requirement will combat the fraudulent use of U.S. travel documents and aid the identification of criminals and suspected terrorists. (source)

Biometric systems are already being rolled out. We reported months ago that the Atlanta airport had scanning devices set up (just to help you with speedy check-in, of course) although travelers could opt-out.

When I flew into the United States last spring after taking Selco’s course in Bosnia, they had biometric scanning at Customs in the Dulles International Airport in Washington, DC. The agent said to me, “Put your face right here and don’t blink” as she pointed to a contraption that looked like something you’d see in an optometrist’s office.

“What is this?” I asked, holding up the line.

“It’s just an iris scan, ma’am. Put your face up to the device,” she answered with a barely concealed eye roll.

“I don’t consent to sharing my biometric data,” I replied, expecting at any moment to be escorted away and cavity-searched. Instead, she sighed deeply, scanned my passport, and waved me through the line.

However, if this new law passes, there will not be an option to opt-out.

Privacy advocates are not happy about this.
The ACLU is leading the charge against this newest invasion of privacy. Jay Stanley, a senior policy analyst with the American Civil Liberties Union’s Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project wrote an excellent must-read essay resoundingly criticizing the move.

Having “your face as your passport” might be very convenient when you’re at a government checkpoint. But we don’t want to have to “present our passport” at every turn in American society, including walking down the sidewalk. If we build a system that turns our faces into passports that anyone can scan and store at any time, that’s exactly what’s likely to happen.

The TSA tries to argue that facial recognition has already been normalized thanks to technologies such as the iPhone X. But those who want to deploy controversial and invasive technologies are always quick to declare them “normalized” — and it is far too early to conclude that people will approve of these technologies. As I have argued before, people will always know the difference between facial recognition that is used by them and facial recognition that is used on them…

In short, the TSA’s desire to go all-in on airport biometrics represents an enormous further investment in a misguided approach to airline security that paves the way for future expansions in the collection and use of personal data on passengers — including insidious new forms of threat scores, security rankings, blacklists, whitelists, etc. — all without necessarily improving security…

…Identity-based security will increasingly have negative consequences, and pervasive facial recognition is both one of those consequences and a way of opening the door to others. (source)

In other words, we’re on the slipperiest of slippery slopes. For those of you who object to flying, don’t expect this invasive technology to stop at airports.

The government promises to delete your photos.
I guess we shouldn’t worry. After all, the DHS promises your photos will be deleted after 12 hours.

A spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, part of Homeland Security, said there would be a chance for the public to comment on any change in regulations.

In a November 2018 report, Homeland Security said facial recognition is the best biometric approach at borders because it can be done quickly and “with a high degree of accuracy.” The agency said privacy risks “are mostly mitigated.” Photos used to match Americans to their identities are deleted within 12 hours, according to the report. (source)

At least the risks are “mostly mitigated.”

Of course if your photos are deleted after twelve hours, how are those same photos used to confirm it’s really you when you leave or return? I don’t know about you, but when I leave to or return from a vacation, I’m generally gone for more than twelve hours.

As for a refresher on the government’s promises:

Jay Stanley, a policy analyst for the American Civil Liberties Union, said the government has told the public and Congress repeatedly that American citizens would be exempt from mandatory biometric screening.

“This new notice suggests that the government is reneging on what was already an insufficient promise,” Stanley said in a statement. “Travelers, including U.S. citizens, should not have to submit to invasive biometric scans simply as a condition of exercising their constitutional right to travel.” (source)

 

[Sentry18]

Don’t forget the government’s track record on protecting private information.
The US government has had numerous breaches in protecting personal information.

Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., said Tuesday he will introduce legislation to block the plan and prohibit U.S. citizens from being forced to provide facial-recognition information. He said a recent data breach at Customs and Border Protection shows that Homeland Security can’t be trusted with the information. (source)

There was also the data breach that exposed the personal information of 21.5 million federal employees and the Obamacare data breach that compromised the medical privacy of 75,000 people. In fact, there have been tons of breaches. A list from Digital Guardian notes the ten biggest GOVERNMENT data breaches of all time:

• 10. State of Texas: 3.5 Million Affected (April 2011)
• 9. South Carolina Department of Revenue: 3.6 Million Affected (October 2012)
• 8. Tricare: 4.9 Million Affected (September 2011)
• 7. Georgia Secretary of State Office: 6.2 Million Affected (November 2015)
• 6. Office of the Texas Attorney General: 6.5 Million Affected (April 2012)
• 5. Virginia Department of Health Professions: 8.3 Million Affected (May 2009)
• 4. U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM): 21.5 Million (June 2015)
• 3. U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs: 26.5 Million Affected (May 2006)
• 2. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA): 76 Million Affected (October 2009)
• 1. U.S. Voter Database: 191 Million Affected (December 2015)

So don’t worry, I’m sure your biometric information and photos will be perfectly safe with the Department of Homeland Security. Because remember, the problems are “mostly mitigated.”

It won’t be long before facial recognition is everywhere.
We’re getting to the point of no return with regard to privacy. We’re so incredibly close to a Chinese-style social credit system that it’s terrifying.

Technology is being advanced at a rapid clip and ways to defeat that technology – not because you have something to hide but because it is your natural human right not to be constantly surveilled – simply can’t keep up.

We’ve got Amazon’s creepy doorbell harvesting facial recognition data from everyone in the neighborhood. We’ve got the HART database that catalogs your face, your voice, your scars, and your tattoos then uploads it to Amazon. (There seems to be a bit of a pattern with Amazon, don’t you think?) And don’t forget the unholy alliance between those DNA sites and facial recognition technology.

As well, don’t forget about the rise of Real ID drivers’ licenses. In many states, you can’t even enter a federal building without one. Don’t be surprised when they become mandatory instead of optional.

This isn’t something that only affects travelers.
A lot of people will read this and say, “That’s why I don’t fly anymore.” But that doesn’t make you safe. The same technology will be coming for you, too.

It reminds me of that quote from Martin Niemoller:

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

This is something that affects every American.

 

[VThillman]

Ain't modern technology great? We've come a long way since that old, crude federal ID card that Hitler and Stalin had to make do with.

 

[Weedygarden]

If it were just for people who are not citizens who are coming into the country, I think it would not be a bad idea. But we know that it won't end there. How many of us have probably had many photos the DHS already has?

 

[VThillman]

The Patriot Act and the DHS re harbingers of the Brave New World in America. They can transmogrify into State Socialism without skipping a beat.

 

[Amish Heart]

Our borders are open right now, so I don't believe their reasons.

 

[dademoss]

All they had to do was copy my passport photo.

 

[Alwaysready]

Get pictures of illegals first and leave us citizens alone.

 

[Supervisor42]

All they had to do was copy my passport photo.

"This leads to the question of why on earth Americans “need” to also be scanned."

Really.
For all of us 'bonifide' citizens, they already have our photo.
Last time we cruised out of country, guess what ID I needed to present to board the ship?:
Passport?
Driver's license with photo?
Credit card with my name on it?

None of the above.
The lady asked me what my name was, my passport picture popped up on her screen, she made me a Seapass card, and I got on the boat.
They screen passengers long before the day to get on the boat.

Only time I needed my passport was to speed things along coming back in thru customs. They already have a digital copy at their fingertips.
Even if I had lost my passport while traveling, all I would have had to do is tell them full name and date of birth and they'd be looking at their copy in one second.
One look and it's obvious who is standing there.

 

[Haertig]

All they had to do was copy my passport photo.

I was going to say that. International travel requires a passport. A passport (at least a US one) requires a photograph. So they already have what they are asking to obtain now. Their request makes no sense.

 

[Supervisor42]

Get pictures of illegals first and leave us citizens alone.

Pictures of illegals will be useless because all of the info underneath it is likely bogus.
The names underneath might as well say "That Guy" or "That Gal" for all the good it would do.

 

[Sentry18]

For all of us 'bonifide' citizens, they already have our photo.

Just for the record, your state has your photo IF you choose to have an ID or a driver's license. My state does not share those photos with the Feds in mass, only on a case by case basis. In this case the Feds want a database of photos and they don't want it to be voluntary.

 

[The Lazy L]

Here's my picture...honest...

 

[The Lazy L]

Just for the record, your state has your photo IF you choose to have an ID or a driver's license. My state does not share those photos with the Feds in mass, only on a case by case basis. In this case the Feds want a database of photos and they don't want it to be voluntary.

If you have a passport the Feds have your picture...

 

[ssonb]

Cept when you go to vote then its a violation of their rights to require a photo ID.

 

[Sentry18]

If you have a passport the Feds have your picture...

True, but also voluntarily.

 

[Curmudgeon]

May I see your papers..................................sigh.

 

[VThillman]

My latest Enhanced driver's license has a pretty good likeness of me on it. Back when my job required a passport, I'm not sure what the clue was that it and I were related.

 

[Supervisor42]

True, but also voluntarily.

Most of the citizens that they DON'T have a picture of, it will be a big struggle for them to submit one.
Like my 92-year-old mom.
She hasn't driven in years and it is very difficult for her to go to town.

As strange as it seems, I can understand WHY the govt needs pictures of us.
Let's say border patrol agents stop an immigrant in Texas that has no ID.
He says he's Juan Valdez and gives them the address of a citizen Juan that lives in New Mexico.
With no photo of the 'real' Juan, they have to let him go.
After stopping about the 10th Juan in one day, it must get obvious that we have to do something about this loophole.

 

[Amish Heart]

Anybody can get a license in New Mexico. And you don't need one to vote. Just look at the paper, read a name upside down that hasn't voted yet (if they voted, there's a checkmark next to the name), and tell them that name and vote.
I don't think they care about old people. If the socialists had their way with health care, they'd just let them die.

 

[VThillman]

If the socialists had their way with health care, they'd just let them die.

Say what?

 

[Amish Heart]

Old people. Too expensive to keep alive.

 

[Supervisor42]

Old people. Too expensive to keep alive.

Yeah but as @VThillman was hinting at, some of us ornery old guys refuse to 'go quietly into the night'
They gonna hafta club us over the head.

 

[ssonb]

They do so have a picture of Juan Valdez......he is on the coffee can with his burro.

 

[Sentry18]

Yeah but as @VThillman was hinting at, some of us ornery old guys refuse to 'go quietly into the night'
They gonna hafta club us over the head.

Socialized medicine doesn't technically kill you, they just stop treating you in any way (to include medications) or allow you to receive treatment from anyone else. It's all about the cost to benefit algorithm and completely ignoring the Hippocratic oath. Of course if people fight back against socialized medicine then they do send someone with a club, or a hypodermic needle. You know, to ease your suffering.

 

[backlash]

DHS has backed off on their plan. For now at least. I guess they didn't like the heat so they got out of the kitchen.
One theory is they were doing a test run to see how much the American public will tolerate before we say enough. Guess they found out.
They do require facial recognition for all non-Americans traveling into or out of the country.

 

[camo2460]

The Government "Promises to Delete the Photos of Americans". The Minute the Government starts making Promises is when I start Running the other way, because I KNOW something ain't right.

 

[VThillman]

Socialized medicine doesn't technically kill you, they just stop treating you in any way (to include medications) or allow you to receive treatment from anyone else. It's all about the cost to benefit algorithm and completely ignoring the Hippocratic oath. Of course if people fight back against socialized medicine then they do send someone with a club, or a hypodermic needle. You know, to ease your suffering.

Where's the data? Reads like a plutocrat plan/story to me. Anyway there is no active government medical plan for seniors in the US beyond Medicare, its ancillary plans and the VA. Socialist or otherwise. There are socialized 'elder care' plans in Europe. I have a little knowledge about the Netherlands system - at at least as it was in 2014. The mechanics of its funding are different from anything the US would have, and there is a financial squeeze caused by ever-increasing numbers of physically and mentally debilitated elderly that has to result in a per-capita reduction in benefits. There appears to be a limit to what folks are willing to pay in taxes to support 'those old people'. (Who knew? Bernie?)

This points up the real, non-political problem with Medicare For All: even when the current graft and excessive profit taking from medical care is removed, the plan probably can't be financed over the long run. We-uns keep getting older before "departing this mortal sphere", but we're still wearing out at about the same rate - including our brains.

 

[Supervisor42]

. Of course if people fight back against socialized medicine then they do send someone with a club, or a hypodermic needle. You know, to ease your suffering.

Actually it's a medicine dropper. I got to watch as they showed my terminal brother the exit-door.
When he came in, hospice said he had 24-48 hours left.
It was 24.
Every couple of hours a few more drops in his mouth.
There was no suffering.
I shoulda read what was in that bottle.
Years ago there was a big to-do about "physician-assisted suicide"....they never said one word about euthanasia, which has always been legal.

 

[fteter]

They're already got your picture. Got a Driver's License? How about a passport? Any government-issued ID card? Ever serve in the military? The only question is how recent the picture might be. But this horse broke out of the barn over 20 years ago.